§ 8. Miss RATHBONEasked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the fact that the number of deaths in child-birth in India is estimated by Sir John Megaw, late Surgeon-General for India, as 200,000 per annum, he will request the Government of India to set up a commission to inquire into the reason for and methods of reducing this maternal mortality?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe hon. Member's suggestion will be communicated to the Government of India.
§ Miss RATHBONEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, according to the same authority quoted here, the number of maternal deaths affected one-tenth of the young wives in India and that that is associated with child marriage, and is it true that nothing will be done either by the Central Government or the Provincial Government to deal with this social evil?
§ Sir S. HOAREMy hon. Friend is raising a much wider issue than is raised in her printed question, and as far as thai is concerned I am sending it to the Government of India.